After three fun-filled and learning-packed days of paddling and camping, the Voyageurs National Park Teen Ambassadors have returned from the first trip of their program. The program, conducted in partnership with Wilderness Inquiry and the National Park Service, aims to bring together teenagers from the Twin Cities and Northern Minnesota on outdoor trips to build a connection between the teens and the environment and to gather advice from the teens on how national parks can better connect to young visitors.

The teens travelled with Wilderness Inquiry staff and a Voyageurs National Park Ranger to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) near St. Paul on June 11. Upon their arrival, the teens set up camp and met with Mary Blitzer, a MNRRA Park Ranger who led the teens on a paddling trip to Coldwater Spring. At Coldwater Spring, the teens learned about native wildlife and pulled invasive plant species.

I was immediately impressed by how much teamwork the teens demonstrated despite only having met each other a couple hours earlier. Already, the teens were paddling and working together with teens from vastly different backgrounds. Later that night, the Northern Minnesotans and Twin Cities natives chatted and bonded over dinner while the Wilderness Inquiry trip leaders led brainteaser games and told stories.

Since the main goal of the program is to develop Teen Ambassadors who can share the national park experience with their peers in the fall, I had expected the teens’ interactions with nature to become the most important part of the trip. But, it became obvious on day one that the teens’ interactions with each other were just as significant, and throughout the trip I was delighted by how eager all of the teens were to interact with those who came from dissimilar backgrounds.

The next day, in the early morning, I awoke to find that several of the teens had gone fishing. The teens returned in time for a nice hot breakfast and then prepared to pack up camp for a paddle down to Grey Cloud Island. Unfortunately, an unexpected thunderstorm swooped in after breakfast and prevented us from following the original itinerary.

However, I was excited to see the teens come together and make the most of the situation. When the rain become too heavy for us to remain at the campsite, the Wilderness Inquiry trip leaders ushered the teens into an indoor shelter with a fire. For several hours, the teens huddled around the warm fire and played games, and I was amazed by how much the teens seemed to enjoy themselves despite the adverse weather.

When the rain died down a few short hours later, the teens embarked on a short, safer paddling trip around Pike Island. Though the current was stronger than it had been a day earlier, the teens worked together and made it around the island without too much hassle. The teens even pointed out some exciting wildlife along the way, as juvenile and adult bald eagles flew along the shore.

They then returned to their campsite for the evening, where Voyageurs National Park Ranger Anne Rozek and I discussed the national parks with the teens, who were eager to learn about working in the outdoors despite this being the first true camping experience for some of them.

On the final morning of the trip, the teens packed up their gear and learned about their research projects: they must select and research a national park and brainstorm ways that their specific national park could reach out to youth. After the teens each selected a national park, we all paddled down to St. Paul in beautiful, sunny weather. When an enormous barge passed us along the way, Wilderness Inquiry trip leader Adam Hoffman taught the teens about the environmental impact of barges, helping the teens understand the threat that mankind poses for the great outdoors.

Overall, the trip was a great success. The teens enjoyed the trip, and one remarked that the paddling “was so much fun!” Several of the teens were in agreement that the trip lived up to their expectations, and many expressed excitement for the next trip, a journey to Voyageurs National Park that will take place in late July and early August. If the teens demonstrate the same maturity and enthusiasm there that they did during the trip to MNRRA, I am certain that the trip to Voyageurs will be just as fun and fulfilling!

Bright blue is the sky
Soft white are the clouds
Red intense, is the sunset
Passions sleep In Kabetogama heart

Water, Air, Fired, and land
I come back to life
In the majesty of Kabetogama’s paradise
That makes me fee close to the sky

The green trees
The odor of life
Spontaneous feelings
Flying over the sky

Fresh breeze
Quiet and alone
Sitting over the rock
Softly the waters float

Red sunset
Vivid color
In the sky
Peaceful moments in my eyes

The sound of the lake
Swinging at night
Makes me sigh
And feel alive

Fresh morning
Hot afternoon
Cold night
And the constellations in the sky

The moon, the lake and the stars
How wonderful the life!
Frees as the eagle
I hope one to fly

Hiking through the path
Serenity and peace surround
I found faith and light
To my spirit lost in the dark

Silent green forest
In persistent calm, the lake sings
Picturesque moment
That the Kabetogama land created in my heart.

Written by Frankie Alvarez, 2012 National Park Teen Ambassador

]]> http://voyageurs.org/frankiealvarezpoem/feed/ 4 http://voyageurs.org/register-for-the-2013-volunteer-rendevzous/ http://voyageurs.org/register-for-the-2013-volunteer-rendevzous/#comments Thu, 30 May 2013 17:44:50 +0000 vnpa http://voyageurs.org/?p=1403 It’s getting to be that time of year again – time for the Voyageurs National Park Volunteer Rendezvous! This year’s Volunteer Rendezvous is taking place up at Voyageurs National Park on September 27th and 28th. We’re expecting a fun, activity-packed event this year, featuring volunteering in addition to a  ”Ghosts of Voyageurs” activity, canoeing trips, and a boat tour (with dinner). Carpooling opportunities will be available. We hope you can join us!

Register online here.

The 2013 Voyageurs National Park Moose Population Survey Report can be downloaded at http://www.nps.gov/voya/naturescience/research.htm.

The Rainy Lake Visitor Center hours of operation will now be Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, from Tuesday, May 7 through Saturday, September 21, 2013. The center will be closed on Sundays and Mondays starting May 5, 2013.

The Kabetogama Lake and Ash River Visitor Centers are currently closed. They will open for the summer season on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Both centers will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, May 25 through September 21, 2013. The centers will be closed on Sundays and Mondays starting May 26, 2013.

This reduction in days and hours of operation is due to the government sequestration. The visitor can expect continued but reduced boat tours and should call ahead for scheduled naturalist-led programs. For a complete list of up-to-date programs go on-line at www.nps.gov/voya. To make a reservation for boat tours go on-line atwww.recreation.gov. For all other naturalist-led programs visitors should inquire at the visitor center they wish to explore. Call the Rainy Lake Visitor Center at 218-286-5258, Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center at 218-875-2111, and Ash River Visitor Center at 218-374-3221.

Voyageurs National Park staff encourages you to come out and explore the opportunities available this summer and enjoy the North Woods.

“Providing the means for America’s youth to experience all that our national park system has to offer is imperative,” said Neil Mulholland, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation. “Disney’s support has helped make it possible for us to engage thousands of young people in life changing park experiences, and ultimately inspiring the next generation of park enthusiasts.”

Now in its second year and with continued support from the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and Disney Friends for Change, “Ticket to Ride” provides financial resources for transportation, in-park educational programming, and meals that make national park field trips possible for schools across the country.The grant from Disney will help more than 60,000 students to experience location-based learning in their local national parks this year.Disney is committed to connecting kids to nature, ensuring they appreciate and understand the beauty and value of our natural resources.

This grant will provide transportation of over 800 fourth graders to the park and access to the Voyageur floating classroom. Gateway community youth will have the unique opportunity to learn about loons, eagles or pond ecology, while experiencing the scenic beauty of the park from the upper deck of the Voyageur. Youth are given an opportunity to experience Voyageurs National Park from the water, as it is meant to be seen.For teachers interested in signing up their 4^th grade class, call the Rainy Lake Visitor Center at 218-286-5258.

For many students, the Ticket to Ride field trip will be their first visit to a national park.Recognizing that once in the parks a world of experiential learning opens up, the National Park Foundation and the National Park Serviceare dedicated to providing this critical access to the parks. Through these field trips, young people discover their natural, cultural and historical heritage, participate in volunteer and service-learning activities, enjoy recreational opportunities and most importantly, begin a lifelong relationship with their national parks.

Located in Minneapolis, Midwest Mountaineering will be hosting more than 85 outdoor adventure exhibitors, 100 free presentations, a canoe and kayak auction, Beer and Gear social night, games for kids, and a canoe and kayak demo.  Everything at Midwest Mountaineering will be on sale and admission to the expo is free.

Voyageurs National Park Association staff and volunteers will be at our booth all weekend.  We will have the 2013 edition of the park’s visitor guide as well as other maps and resources.

Read the Expo preview newspaper.

According to a National Park Service memo obtained by the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees, sequestration will have a drastic impact on the parks, visitors and gateway businesses.  Jarvis explains, “We expect that a cut of this magnitude, intensified by the lateness of the implementation, will result in reductions to visitor services, hours of operation, shortening of seasons, and possibly the closing of areas during periods when there is insufficient staff to ensure the protection of visitors, employees, resources, and government assets.”

What it means for Voyageurs
Voyageurs National Park officials have drafted a plan for a sequestration scenario, but are still weighing options to have the least effect on the public.  Visitors would definitely see a reduction in park services.  Seasonal hires would be cut drastically. Other areas with cuts would include campsite cleaning, trail maintenance, school and interpretation programs, air and water quality studies, and ranger support for search and rescue.  Visitor center hours would be reduced with the possibility of one center closing.

Why would a 5 percent cut lead to such a severe reduction in visitor services?  The majority (85-90 percent) of a national park’s budget consists of fixed costs so the 5 percent would have to come out of discretionary funds for summer staff and visitor services.

Anything that harms the national parks and their visitor services will inevitably have impacts on surrounding businesses.  Our national parks represent just 1/14 of 1 percent of the federal budget, yet they welcome 280 million visitors each year whose spending supports 247,000 jobs and has a $31 billion economic impact in local economies.  A new NPS report shows that the 572,795 visitors to Minnesota national parks in 2011 spent $39 million in communities surrounding those parks.

Voyageurs Superintendent Michael Ward commented, ”We are still hopeful Congress will find a way to avoid long-term sequestration and pass a budget that solves multiple concerns. As proposed, these senseless cuts do not allow experienced managers to reduce costs in ways that have a chance of still serving the public appropriately.”

What you can do
Voyageurs National Park and other Minnesota NPS sites not only preserve natural, scientific and historic treasures, but also provide a hub for tourism and recreation that support local businesses.  We cannot let sequestration devastate our parks.

Contact your elected officials today! Tell Congress to protect funding for our national parks.

Snowshoe Trails 

All snowshoe trails in the park are open. Snowshoes are available for loan at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center near International Falls, Arrowhead Lodge in Kabetogama, and Ash Trail Lodge in Ash River. Take advantage of this opportunity to try this winter activity.

Cross-Country Ski Trails

The Echo Bay, Tilson Connector, and Black Bay Ski Trails are open and tracked. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center near International Falls has adult-sized skis available for rent and children’s skis available for loan during business hours. The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 4:30pm.

Snowmobile Trails

With the addition of new snow, snowmobile trails, ski trails, and snowshoe trails in the park are open and in excellent condition. The snowmobile trails in the park have been groomed and continue to be groomed on a regular basis.

Please use caution when traveling off trail on the lake surface because you may encounter pockets of slush. A reminder that the snowmobile speed limit in the park is 45 mph on lake surfaces and 25 mph on the land trails.

Ice Roads

The Kabetogama Lake Ice Road is open from the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center to the Ash River Visitor Center. The Rainy Lake Ice Road is open from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center to Dove Bay, and to the north side of Dryweed Island. The speed limit on the ice roads is 30 mph.

To reduce hazards to snowmobile users, all ice blocks are to be immediately chopped up, submerged, or hauled to land. Placement of equipment or any type of structure must be greater than 50 feet off the center of all ice roads and snowmobile trails. Written authorization from the park is required for individuals to plow any lake surfaces within the park.

Ski Trails
Echo Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
Black Bay Ski Trail – Open, packed, and tracked
Tilson Connector – Open, packed, and tracked

Snowshoe Trails
Sullivan Bay Trail – Open

Snowmobile Trails
International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) – Open and staked
Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) – Open and staked
Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) – Open and staked
Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) –Open and staked
Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) – Open and Staked
East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) – Open and Staked

Ice Roads
Rainy Lake Ice Road – Open to Dryweed Island.
Kabetogama Lake Ice Road – Open between the Kabetogama Lake and Ash River Visitor Centers